AFS Supports Teachers Preparing to Strike on Nov. 1 in Portland, Oregon

AFS has just learned that teachers in the Portland city school district plan to strike starting Wednesday Nov. 1. The teachers are calling for needs including safer working conditions (such as air conditioning when room temps get above 94) and also professional development that includes training in culturally relevant curricula. There is overwhelming support from the Portland Association of Teachers in the vote to strike, which may help to contextualize the action for our membership. Portland teachers plan to strike for students after months of negotiations with Portland Public Schools.

We want participants in the meeting to be aware of the impending strike and to learn ways to support the teachers where possible.  AFS members and staff are currently connecting with organizers of the teachers’ union to find more about how AFS can concretely support their efforts. We will share this information as we learn more. 

AFS meetings regularly engage K-12 educators through the work of the Folklore and Education section and Local Learning. We recognize that Local Learning’s Saturday, Nov. 4 workshop may occur before the strike is resolved. In solidarity with PDX teachers, we support the strike and encourage AFS members to join these educators to support better teaching conditions and meaningful instruction.

Outside of picket line hours, we also invite PDX teachers to join AFS members at the Saturday, November 4th Local Learning workshops on systemic educational transformation in conversation with Indigenous educators from Oregon and Washington followed by a deep dive into approaches to teaching with Hip Hop. We know that the Portland Association of Teachers demands “… modern classrooms and culturally relevant curriculum that prepares them for our increasingly diverse and interdependent world” (https://www.pdxteachers.org/). Local Learning, the AFS Education Section, and AFS leadership are poised to offer resources that teachers need at the Saturday workshop and beyond. 

Saturday, Nov. 4, Portland Hilton – Skyline II room:

8:30-11:30 Systemic Education Transformation with Indigenous Educators 

12-1 is BYO lunch and an opportunity to meet allies at the AFS Education Section

1:15-2:15 Approaches to Teaching Hip Hop

Attendance free for PDX teachers. Certificate of Attendance for Professional Development will be available. 

Learn more and contribute to the strike efforts at https://www.pdxteachers.org/.